Dharamshala: The official handing over of the directorship of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) took place on 3 December 2018 between the outgoing director Wangdu Tsering Pesur and new director Ngawang Yonten in the presence of the official witness Dawa Tsultrim from Department of Religion and Culture.

The official handing over was preceded by a formal welcome greeting to the new director by the Members of TIPA, in the prayer hall whereby both the directors paid reverence to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by offering traditional scarves to the throne of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and exchanged pleasantry. Customary Tibetan butter tea and sweet rice were served.

Incumbent Director, Ngawang Yonten:
Kashag Secretariat, Dharamsala: Additional Secretary from August 2018 to November 2018
Dept. of Education: Additional Secretary from October 2016 to June 2018
Dept. of Home: Joint Secretary from August to September 2018
Office of Tibet, USA: Joint Secretary from December 2011 – August 2016
Tibetan Settlement officer, Orissa: Joint Secretary from September 2010 to November 2011
Tibetan Settlement officer, Shimla: Deputy Secretary from December 2005 to July 2010
Department of Security, Dharamsala, India – July 2005 to December 2005
Tibetan Multipurpose Co-operative Society, Tezu: General Secretary from March 2000 to July 2005
Drepung Loseling Monastic School, Mundgod: Primary Teacher from 1999 to 2000

EDUCATION:
Tibetan Scholarship Program at the University of San Francisco, USA (Aug 2009 to June 2010)
Post Graduate Diploma from HP University, Shimla, India (2007)
Higher Diploma in Cooperative Management, Bangalore (2005)
Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Karnataka University, India (1997)
School – Central School for Tibetan, Mundgod (1994)

Outgoing Director, Wangdue Tsering has dedicated over 34 years in service of the Central Tibetan Administration since 1984. He has served in various capacities in CTA, most recently as the Director of Tibetan Institute Performing Arts from 2014 – 2018. Wangdue Tsering Pesur was born on 1 July 1959. He began his service in Central Tibetan Administration as a Junior Clerk in the Department of Finance on 1 July 1984. On 15 November 1984, he was transferred to Lugsum Tibetan Settlement Office, Bylakuppe. On 1 January 1988, he was transferred to Tenzingang Tibetan Settlement Office, Arunachal Pradesh. On 1 August 1992, Wangdu Tsering was promoted to Office Superintendent at the Tenzingang Tibetan Settlement Office. After a year, he was promoted to Section Officer. On 2 July 1996, he was promoted to Under Secretary and served in the position at Rabgyaling Tibetan Settlement, Hunsur. On 21 June 1997, he was transferred to Paonta Tibetan Settlement Office. On 9 March 1999, he was promoted to Deputy Secretary at the Tibetan Cooperative Society, Mainpat. On 12 March 2003, he was appointed as Deputy Secretary of Dhondeling Tibetan Settlement Office, Kollegal. He was promoted to Joint Secretary after two years in December 2005. On 16 January 2009, he was appointed as Joint Secretary of Department of Finance. On 2 August 2013, he was promoted as Additional Secretary of the Finance Department. From 1 September 2014, he has been serving as the Director of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.

The outgoing director Wangdu Tsering Pesur and new director Ngawang Yonten in the presence of the official witness Dawa Tsultrim from Department of Religion and Culture with senior staff of TIPA. Photo/Jamphel Sherab/TIPA

New director Ngawang Yonten speaking to the artist and staff of TIPA. Photo/Jamphel Sherab/TIPA